How to create effective, engaged workplace teams after the These light-hearted contests can also easily be tied to raising money for charity. - Joe Wilson, Senior Career Advisor at MintResume, Our company gave us all sunflower seeds to care for and grow as we work from home. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? "Homeschool Spirit Week" lets kids have fun while - News 4 Buffalo WeAreTeachers Staff on September 20, 2022. Research says that the primary cause of employees leaving their jobs is the lack of appreciation. Experiences, not cash, are the new corporate bonus. Food is a big deal at work. Here's how the pandemic will change - CNN Some ideas for your 30-minute morning check-ins include: Establish virtual coffee chats with individual team members. Clarify expectations, for example, of performance, workflow or performance management. For three hours per week, staff can sign off anytime during the workday for rest and wellbeing, no questions asked. This is a great way to begin your team meetings. But employees with a few years of experience should be matched with a career mentor to help them grow in their position. Gift cards allow people to purchase whatever they want from their favorite brands. Check out BoostEducatorsChallenge.com for details. For more tournament ideas, check out our list of Slack games. Engage in active family play time. 1. It is a small token of appreciation, but our employees have expressed that they really appreciate the recognition. - Darryl Smith, Founding Partner at Florida Car Accident Lawyer Team, Because of the coronavirus, Kickstand recently implemented more flexible work schedules, including a few mental health hours per week to encourage employees to step away from their computers and recharge during the workday. Spirit Week ideas for busy offices should include low-maintenance events that require minimal planning from event organizers and the participants. Top 10 Ways to Grow School Spirit From Afar - PTA The events should also not take too long to do. This is a stressful time to say the least. Some teams are secretly supervillains who try to sabotage other teams, and players must also identify these sinister alter-egos to ensure evil does not prevail. If time is not available to do this well in one meeting book another one but within the next 24 hours so as not to lose momentum. Teams complete comic-book-themed riddles and puzzles and virtual minute-to-win-it challenges to climb the leaderboard and save the world. Why not expend the effort necessary to retain the staff that you have already painfully recruited and hired? Without a doubt, getting a specially curated box of snacks will make employees feel happy and contented. COVID Halloween Ideas | Martha Stewart Instead, health promotion ensures that your staff actually want and like to be at work. Attempt a self portrait with pencil and paper. This year, the questions are quite different, and nearly all are some variation of What do we even do for the holidays in a pandemic? Many employers are simply canceling holiday celebrations, since theres no way to safely gather. Explore them here: On Fridays, our team puts on ridiculous outfits to make each other laugh during virtual meetings. Their office is infused with fun, including random Razor scooters available to any staff who think better while in motion. 1. If your office normally does Secret Santa or Yankee Swap gift exchanges, you can keep it going this year too. Its expensive to recruit a new worker. You can celebrate the spirit of a challenge in your Spirit Week by hosting a Versus Day. 10 Fun Halloween Activities to Try With Employees Coronavirus NC: Virtual spirit weeks unite school communities | Raleigh Here are instructions on changing virtual backgrounds in Zoom, GoogleMeet, and Microsoft Teams. Remote teammates can enjoy a show while learning more about coworkers special skills and abilities. Learn more about virtual costume contests. Get the latest news from Namely about HR, Payroll, and Benefits. Spirit week attendees can either make their own backgrounds using Canva or Photoshop, or can download one from online. Learn how to set new boundaries, ask for support, and re-strategize with your partner about what you need. Ask each person to share one word to describe how they are feeling in. 2022 Todos los derechos reservados. For example, hold a Zoom ugly sweater contest, host a virtual Secret Santa or white elephant gift exchange, and sing Christmas carols. Vantage Circle. Therefore it's a win-win situation. In times of isolation it can be very difficult to stay on top of where everyone is at. Halloween is the time of year when employees can showcase their creativity and interact with coworkers they may not normally work closely with. Add some seriously "tricked out" kitchens on each floor of their facilities. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government (OSHA) has provided detailed guidelinesfor workplace safety policies. Spirit weeks are a time-honored tradition, in elementary, middle, and high schools alike. Credit: HMH Books for Young Readers. When you think about having a great company culture, you think about building trust, honesty, and a great team of workers. So, it's essential to consider this less of an idea and more of a thing that you have to do eventually. Many a time, they'll bring that positivity and enthusiasm back to the workplace. It is working together that will get us through this time. Here are list of themes to use for online spirit weeks. In order to position your company as one where people really want to work, your company SWAG items had better reflect that. You can even turn your staff into the bartending experts: We had a party earlier this year where there was one big Zoom call, and then we broke out into a set of breakout rooms where colleagues had volunteered to teach others how to make their favorite cocktail. Reading a book on the sofa is a cozy way to get in the Christmas spirit. For instance, on sports day, staff can wear jerseys, square off in competitive games, and participate in an online pep rally. Petit fours, miniature cupcakes, and macarons are the best tea party desserts, and finger sandwiches are another staple. Check out our list ofonline escape rooms. Plentiful sunshine. For example, Marvel versus DC Comics, the '60s versus the '70s, or Batman and the Joker. Simply ask, how are we doing living up to our agreements?. 15 gifts to give essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic Happily, Ive heard lots of versions of this choice as well: My company is taking the money that would be used for the holiday party (usually a sit-down dinner with open bar) and is donating it instead to a local charity. You can even display this social media recognition on your offices digital displays to make sure the whole team sees it. No, not the executive lunchroom. It's marketed as "COVID-19 style" since all schools across the state are currently shut down. The charm of subscription boxes is that theres something for everyone! Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses. Simple ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in your workplace 2. It definitely is the easiest and quickest Zoom icebreaker out there. Virtual workout or meditation classes. First, either mail employees tea and fancy snacks, or ask attendees to bring their own refreshments and reimburse them for the expense. Check out our list of the best online murder mysteries. Its a really cool way to connect with your coworkers and find out more about their life outside of work. Give a prize to the two team members who wear the most well-thought . Adults need 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity activity such as brisk walking for health benefits. Keep Teamwork Alive Working From Home During Coronavirus | Wirecutter Here are 10 ideas to consider for your school: 1. Unorthodox corporate perks such as trips to hike near a volcano or dive with dolphins are an increasingly powerful way to attract, retain and motivate top talent. They are great team members. Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. On beach day, participants post virtual backgrounds of tropical locations and sip mock mai tais. "We're encouraging employees to stay active by challenging their coworkers. Slate is published by The Slate Group, a Graham Holdings Company. You could either play a facilitated murder mystery where a host guides the game and gives out clues, or follow a script for a self-guided murder mystery. Learn more: 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore. Why not see which team has the most steps or ran the furthest distance this week? It is easier than ever to show your appreciation from the monthly Netflix fix to news and magazines. Humans have an inherent need to get appreciated for their work. To begin with, publicly recognizing great employees reflects well on your company for customers, investors, and your team. Innovative Holiday and Winter Gatherings in the Time of COVID-19 Do it privately-ish. Harvard Business Review reports that "the most impactful driver of employee engagement is recognition.". PDF COVID-19 Developing Resilience in the Workplace We All Hate It. They are tasty, convenient, and great for hunger pangs that strike while working. Perhaps the best gift to give your employees is recognizing your employees publicly for a great job done. Perhaps to no ones surprise, drinking seems to be quite popular this year, and some companies have figured out how to incorporate it into remote events. "Everyone meet promptly at 5:30 p.m., and line up your cars by the parking lot next to my house," instructed the texts sent out by Amanda Perez, staff member and University of Miami School of Communication graduate student, and her mother, Wendy Perez. Gain practical tools and strategies to lead your remote team to high performance with mycomplimentary webinar and check out my new e-course: Lead High Performing Remote Teams That Thrive Through COVID and Beyond. To make your company memorable in a sea of forgettable mugs. Discuss and ask specific questions about work related items such as what they are working on, what they have accomplished in x amount of time, whether they have any challenges and if so how you can help. Simply gear each day's activities around a particular topic. The BIG List of School Spirit Week Ideas (80+ Activities!) The purpose of online spirit weeks is to boost employee engagement and morale. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. We, humans, are emotional creatures. After the bartender presentation (which was short) everybody got to chat and enjoy their drinks for some time before saying goodbye. The Kaiser Family Foundation found . There are few things that employees feel more love for than an extra day of freedom aside from the weekend. There are many fun online activities that suit an international or travel-themed spirit week or spirit day. Its a way for us to provide food and a gathering without being on-site and in groups. Take off your coat. It might sound kind of silly, but when the right company SWAG is used- it can have a big impact on building a positive workplace culture. Superhero Academy is a perfect fit for a hero or villain themed online spirit day. For any related queries, contact editor@vantagecircle.com. I'm really hoping we won't have to consider this in future years, but a lot of planning time went into making sure that we minimized our COVID risk during the trip. Another good team-building activity is a virtual workshop or workout class. One of the best ideas for spirit care packages is to pack supplementary materials for the weeks activities. Recommended Article: 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable. Content Expert at teambuilding.com. These events are the online equivalent of spirit week, and are examples of virtual employee engagement activities and virtual team celebrations, and often take place on virtual event platforms. But to make them feel valued is what employees think is the most important. For example, build breaks into your work schedule, remind team members to take breaks, and don't do work tasks while off work.7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Model problem solving from a variety of viewpoints. Hence, "Employee of the month" programs are a great way to show your best employees that you see their hard work and appreciate the efforts they are putting in. Were working with local restaurants (some minority-owned) to provide cold reheatable family meals that our employees will take home to enjoy with their family. E-Learning is the preferred modern way to upskill and learn while having the convenience of choosing the when and where. Next, check our our list of ideas to celebrate Pride at work, online fun Friday ideas, and intern orientation activities. Not my cup of tea but a lot of people seemed to like it! We also had a really strict limit for spending, like $20. I hope the concrete strategies and steps I share below will help you to bring some added calm, focus and renewed energy to your team. Make it a fun and memorable experience. Company-branded swag can be simple everyday things like t-shirts, mugs, or even pen drives. Declaring theme days is one of the easiest spirit week ideas for work from home. Basically, the idea is to boost morale by giving students a collective silly goal. PDF Getting your workplace ready for COVID-19 - World Health Organization Theme Days. Challengers can play the games directly in the channel, or via direct message. Not to fear: There are plenty of Halloween-inspired crafts to go around. 1. Keep Little Hands Busy. Make it more special by hosting a "Make Your Own Taco" competition where the winner gets some form of employee reward. 5k+ Downloads Get to know your employees and find out what they like so you can give gift cards that are tailored to their interests. This activity involves solving puzzles and finding clues to "escape" a themed room. These events help boost company pride. With these 33 employee appreciation ideas, you will see reduced turnover and retain your top talents. Recommended Article: The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition. Its common knowledge that people love gift cards. At checkout the price was zero and you couldnt even enter a tip. And what could be better for this purpose than to offer E-Learning options? When you incorporate social media into your online spirit week scheduling, you make it easier for colleagues to find and friend each other. Company retreats are fun, help team members bond while also providing the option of getting away from the stress of day-to-day work life. #StayStrongWF Spirit Week April 6-10. 33 Amazing Employee Appreciation Ideas [2023 Update], The Ultimate Guide To Employee Rewards and Recognition, 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees, Gift Cards Make For The Perfect Employee Rewards, Indias Largest Telecom Company Boosts their Global Employee Engagement with Vantage Rewards, 25 Employee Engagement Activities To Reinvent Your Workforce, 25 Employee Recognition Statistics You Shouldn't Ignore, Top 102 Employee Recognition Quotes To Celebrate Their Endeavours, 23 Awesome Ways To Make Every Employee Work Anniversary Memorable, All You Need To Know About Sales Incentive Programs In 2023, 10 Intrinsic Rewards That Your Employees Look Forward To, Empower the Workforce With A Culture of Peer-to-Peer Recognition. Companies with a corporate health plan are more likely to see more engaged employees. One of the simplest and most popular solutions has been virtual happy hours. Hosting this year has been no small featand the biggest party season of all is almost here. We regularly share the progress our sunflowers are making. Superhero Academy is equal parts fun, intellectual, and competitive. 50 Spirit Week Ideas For Work To Energize Any Size Team - SnackNation You might feel anxious about: Your own safety and the safety of others. As we are a small team, we used to track this daily on a whiteboard in the office, but now we just check in each morning to see what each team member is planning to do that day. - Napala Pratini, Co-Founder at Habitual, We started including crosswords with internal jokes and references in our internal weekly newsletter. COVID-19 is expected to last for many months, with a potential resurgence in the fall. My Boss Loves Planning an Elaborate Holiday Extravaganza. Here are some ideas that seem newly relevant given the constraints of 2020 and beyond. Who doesnt love free food? Earth Day activities that are good for you and the planet during the Revamp your break room. Wool socks, very plushy fleece blankets, playing cards, mugs, etc. By planning an online retreat for spirit week, you block out employees time and free staff to enjoy the festivities. You can supplement your on-the-clock remote spirit week activities with fun social media challenges. Ventilation and air circulation are your friends. You can also offer a myriad of health benefits. I write about how to improve team and leadership performance. Coronavirus has put a particular national spotlight on unmet needs of the growing older population in our country, and the tens of millions of overstretched family and professional caregivers they . This helps your employees feel appreciated on an ongoing basis. Keeping a workplace safe during the COVID-19 pandemic can be challenging. And of course folks could also just log off if they wanted to, with no pressure to spend the rest of the day working. Even a small gesture like a "thank you" goes a long way to boost productivity, increase performance and improve morale among the workforce. The week before your work at home spirit week, mail boxes full of goodies to team members. There were two main ways we did this: by requiring team members to be vaccinated, and picking a venue that would reduce people's overall exposure. Your objectives for the meeting will be to: Note: This is not a meeting to be rushed. Go for a walk. The day-to-day work life might get hectic and tedious for everyone in the office. After all, who doesn't like a couple of free snacks? Online board games or trivia challenges are a great way to bring a team together for something besides work. Keep employees engaged and excited with some friendly competition. Slack game tournaments are great ideas for virtual spirit weeks. Or it just might be a beautiful day to sleep in. You can also make sure you take at least a 30-minute lunch break. 29. Shared items such a candy jars, cereal boxes, and containers of nuts should be removed for the safety of all workers. We also have a list of the best remote team outing ideas. One is a gingerbread house session where theyll send you the kit, walk you through assembly, and then you can decorate with the provided candy and icing or your own. For any employee who loves to be fit or is inclined towards adopting a healthier lifestyle, gym passes make for the ultimate way to help them get started. Wed all ooooh and ahhh, and laugh. In stock now. And amid stay-at-home orders. Paint Pumpkins. The Internet might be intermittent in these spots, so you can also give teammates the option of joining via phone audio instead of mobile video app. Honestly, Im really pleased with this decision over trying to make a Zoom party happen. Simmonds was blown away by . Being a boss, every positive word from you will act as a huge morale booster for your employees. Get Chinese food somewhere. 1. For our workers who have never worked from home, social isolation is deeply felt. Workplace Safety During COVID-19 | Justia First, give teammates a few options for online courses and ask them to vote for their favorite. The key is making exercise a daily priority, and the holidays are no different. Promoting health is no longer seen as an initiative that yields 'soft' results. It was a huge hit, and we're already scheduled another! - Ryan Law, Content Strategist at Animalz, We sent care packages to our employees homes to help them adjust to remote work. For instance, if you host a murder mystery, then include character cards in the boxes. Following recommendations from the CDC, we've put together some helpful guide to navigating Christmas during Covid this year. Recommended Article: 50 Best Words of Appreciation for Employees. It's not only a nice little project to focus on, but gives us something to talk about that's not work or coronavirus. Call in a local food truck specializing in the cuisine and make it mandatory for people to take a break and eat a taco. The benefit of virtual dress up days is that employees can don elaborate costumes without worrying about travel, comfort, or attracting strange stares in Starbucks. As anyone whos tried to organize any office activity knows, its hard, if not impossible, to find something that everyone will like, so some offices are offering a whole buffet of choices to pick from: My company couldnt find an online activity that worked for 40 people, so theyre offering a few different options. People are encouraged to bring family (which is not something we typically can do with these events) and I would have loved this even before the new normal. Im kind of bummed Im going to be missing out on this one actually. Here are some suggestions: A team reset meeting will ensure team members take time to identify how to best work together in this new reality so that the team can maintain a sense of community, transition through this change effectively, and maintain (and even improve) team performance during this time while supporting the well-being of team members. Offering free meals and caffeine is actually a highly effective and cost-effective means of motivating and controlling young employees. As we reflect on two months (or more) of mandated virtual work, HR and people teams around the world are looking back on their most successful morale-boosting activitiesand searching for new ideas to keep their teams happy, healthy, and engaged. 2. Get advice from seasoned professionals about all your compliance questions and concerns. Your employees are amazing people with undisclosed talents. Mention about their desirable quirks like always being on time or such. 9. Part of the fun of spirit week is pretending, and murder mysteries cast participants in the roles of cunning detectives. The Only List Of Zoom Icebreakers You Need In 2023 - Vantage Circle Kicking their feet up on the couch and zoning out in front of the TV could be just what the essential workers in your life need after dealing with the public . It is especially meaningful when the appreciation comes from their bosses. The chocolate tasting person is mailing out the tasting kits to all of us and will lead us through the tasting via Zoom. Everyone had a week to practice and record their talents before we all watched them together during a special All Hands meeting. Celebrating employee birthdays never gets old. Things to consider when you and your employees travel 4. Spirit weeks often involve games. We safeguard your personal information in accordance with our Privacy Policy. Spirit weeks build ties with community Over the course of this week, schools will ask students and staff to do activities such as share TikTok videos, do workouts and share pictures wearing. We have these events called campfires that take place twice a week. Here are a few examples. More than a manager, an employee's peers are more likely to know about their good qualities. 1. Heightened communication is necessary, not only to keep your remote team productively focused, but because the sudden move from the workplace to a home space can take an emotional toll on people when they no longer have the social contact with work friends and colleagues.